This blog is for Polk County Florida small farms and pesticide applicators as a method of communication and sharing information. This blog is administered by the University of Florida IFAS Extension Polk County Extension Agent, Mary Beth Henry.

Friday, September 14, 2012

ARS Newslink

ARS News Service
USDA Agricultural Research Service
September 14, 2012
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Fighting whiteflies with "banker" plants:
A USDA scientist is showing growers how to combat whiteflies and other crop pests by using plants as storehouses for predatory insects that can migrate to cash crops and feed on the pests attacking those crops. (9/10) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2012/120910.htm

USDA establishes watershed network:
USDA has established a Long Term Agro-ecosystem Research (LTAR) network from among its existing experimental watersheds and rangelands nationwide to address large-scale, multi-year research, environmental management testing and technology transfer related to the nation's agricultural ecosystems. (9/10) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2012/120910.2.htm

New blueberries released:
USDA has released a number of new blueberry varieties, including one that produces pink blueberries. Although not a first of its kind, "Pink Lemonade" is likely America's most popular pink blueberry. (9/13) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2012/120913.htm___________________________________________

Newslink is the weekly e-mail pointer for web links to stories issued by the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.